As anti-illegal immigration demonstrations get underway across the country, pressure group March and March is calling on citizens in other parts of the continent to challenge their governments rather than seek refuge in South Africa.
In Pretoria, demonstrators gathered at Church Square and were addressed by leaders of various organisations before marching through the streets of the capital.
March and March Gauteng coordinator Sandile Dube said it is time for citizens of other African countries to rise up against their governments.
“South Africans have stood up to confront their own government as civil society. We call on the rest of Africa to also rise against their governments. We stand with the people of Zimbabwe to rise against their government and demand accountability. The people of Mozambique must also rise against their government, the people of Malawi and Angola must all rise to demand accountability from their governments so we can have real Pan-Africanism,” said Dube.
He said South Africa is currently carrying the rest of the continent on its shoulders, an arrangement he argues is not sustainable.
“If Pan-Africanism means everyone must end up in South Africa, then we have a problem. South Africa is not a social state for the rest of the continent.”
The demonstrating groups have warned of further protest action if the government does not step up efforts to deal with illegal migration.
Dube also called out regional and continental multilateral bodies, accusing them of shielding wayward leaders.
“We must say to President Cyril Ramaphosa that there must be accountability in the whole of SADC. When President Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe violates his people, SADC must step in to seek accountability. The same applies if the king in eSwatini oppresses his people; they must act. The African Union must not just be a boys’ club where leaders shield each other from accountability while citizens suffer,” he said.
The government has since stepped up efforts to rein in immigration.
“As of 27 June 2026, a total of 18,189 foreign nationals have been processed for repatriation and deportation,” said Deputy Government Spokesperson William Baloyi ahead of Tuesday’s protests.